Winsted Man Arrested on Federal Child Pornography Charges

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kimberly K. Mertz, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that TRAVIS CARLSON, 28, of Nanni Drive, Winsted, was arrested today by members of the Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force on a federal criminal complaint charging CARLSON with possession, receipt, and distribution of child pornography.

The complaint alleges that CARLSON utilized an Internet file sharing network to receive and distribute images of child pornography.

Following his arrest this morning at his residence, CARLSON appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford. CARLSON was released into the custody of his father on a bond in the amount of $100,000. He will be subject to electronic monitoring by the U.S. Probation Office while this matter is pending.

If convicted of the charge of possession, receipt and distribution of child pornography, CARLSON faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years, and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force, which includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The Winchester Police Department has assisted the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deborah R. Slater.

The Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force investigates crimes occurring over the Internet, including computer intrusion, Internet fraud, copyright violations, Internet threats and harassment, and online crimes against children. The Task Force also provides computer forensic review services for participating agencies. The Task Force is housed in the main FBI office in New Haven, Connecticut. For more information about the Task Force, please contact the FBI at 203-777-6311.

U.S. Attorney Fein noted that this prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.